I have written in here before about my son who is now 21mths. To explain a bit about him firstly, he is just a typical boy really!!! Likes the more boisterous activites, likes to climb, is very sociable with other children but to the point that he is constantly kissing/hugging them which nit every child wants! He is great with his older sister (nearly 4) but they do know how to wind each other up!!!
This past month and a bit, he has gone through some very new sleeping challenges. He used to be a fab sleeper with no probs and now takes a wee while to settle (this is gradually improving) and is sometimes up in the middle of the night as well as super early in the morning. All in all, this makes for a very sleepy wee boy (and a very grumpy mummy!)

As a result of this sleepiness, he has become quite challengeing recently and I am worried that we are not handling it well. H will throw major strops for not getting what he wants, he will do the opposite of anything that we say and will hit his sister (all normal behaviour for a wee one I know but the tantrums are unreal and I really believe its because he is knackered!) We use the naughty step and he does go through all the motions but as to whether this is successful or not I am unsure.

What woud you guys do in this situation? Both in terms of helping sleep but also how to manage this behaviour? As he is just 21 months, he obv does understand but this is limited. He used to have a nap after lunch for about an hour and half but I have moved this forward to about 11 as he was very sleepy in the morning after being up so early. I am really keen for ANY thoughts/advice! Thanks in advance x_________________<a><img></a>

hayley2903

Guru Member

Joined: 21 Aug 2011

Posts: 513

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 10:33 pmPost subject:

I'd try getting a (is it a grow clock?) from john lewis i think and try explaining day and night to him?
Also, is there anything in the bedroom to play with? i noticed on your other post you had recently taken the sides off his cot. I would remove anything tempting and also pop a gate on the bedroom door. Then personally, if Lola was to wake i would leave her in there knowing she was safe and would soon drop off.
As for his behaviour i would try going back to 2 naps? Lola will sometimes need one in the morning and one after lunch, doesn't bother either of us (she's smilier) and she sleeps perfect at night so i dont see any harm in keeping the morning nap!
When Lola is naughty and completely ignores what i say she is made to sit in a particular spot in the room for a minute or so, then she will give a kiss and a cuddle. As its something she doesnt want to do it appears to work. I did used to pop her in her cot when naughty (silly me!) She begun getting upset at bedtime woops haha! All solved now xx_________________

Banoffee

AskBaby Star

Joined: 18 Mar 2009

Posts: 3132

Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:15 pmPost subject:

At 21 months I can't imagine the gro clock would work unless he can grasp the concept. They do work sometimes with older children. My little man is a good sleeper with an hour in the afternoon and still 12 hours at night. I have however had real trouble with my daughter who is now a teenager. The less sleep she has the more grumpy she is. I've had issues with her since very little. She didn't have naps in the day either. Some children when they become over tired become over stimulated and then struggle to sleep. They will also be very restless at night and wake early. I would not allow any stimulus for an hour b4 bed and try and help in wind down as best you can. Bananas are supposed to be good for sleep, warm baths and milk. Perhaps get him to nap after lunch as he could be napping a little early. Some children are just bad sleepers and nothing works as I've discovered with my daughter. I really hope you all start getting some zzzzz's soon._________________

mpat

Senior Member

Joined: 27 Nov 2008

Posts: 401

Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:46 pmPost subject:

Thanks ladies.
I'm not sure a gate would work on his door as I reckon he would shout the place down when he couldn't get out!
I do think he gets stimulated when overtired and the more I think about it, the more I am sure that this is poss the cause of the sleep prob. It is so unusual for him. We already d the bath, milk and supper then bedtime story, cuddles and bed. This routine hasn't changed at all (and always worked a treat!) I am now thinking that I need to give him a chance to catch up on lost sleep by offering an extra nap-this may be madness but an extra short nap (I am hoping!) might help him settle better at night-we shall see so fingers crossed!!!_________________<a><img></a>